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Tag: UMG

  • WPP and Universal Music partner for brands and bands

    WPP and Universal Music partner for brands and bands

    MUMBAI: This could be music to WPP’s  clients’ ears.  The creative transformation company and  music-based entertainment  powerhouse Universal Music group (UMG)  announced on 12 December that they are planning to work in harmony with each other.

    The duo has got into a strategic partnership that will provide clients’ brands with cutting-edge audience engagement strategies leveraging the power of music. The new alliance  brings together UMG’s family of artists and labels, and its global data and insights team, with WPP’s creative scale and extensive client network, giving brands new opportunities to connect with audiences through music. 

    The collaborative partnership offers WPP clients’ new opportunities to connect with some of the world’s most popular artists and their music, and unique access to UMG’s iconic music catalogue to unlock additional areas of amplification through data-driven and technological innovation. In addition, WPP and UMG will work together to responsibly explore new ways that AI can better help brands and artists connect and create authentic cultural moments.

    The announcement builds upon the history of successful collaboration between WPP and UMG for Brands (UMGB), as exemplified by their ongoing partnership with The Coca-Cola Co. Working together, WPP and UMG have collaborated on global initiatives such as the award-winning Coke Studio and Sprite Limelight music platforms. Through these programmes, a diverse array of established and emerging artists have amplified brand messaging, galvanising fan communities worldwide while expanding their audiences. 

    “Music is becoming an even more powerful cultural force, and technology is rewriting how we experience it,” said WPP chief technology officer Stephan Pretorius. “This partnership with UMG will allow us to leverage emerging technologies and data insights to create truly innovative music-driven campaigns for our clients, shaping the future of brand engagement.”

    “This collaboration provides benefits to stakeholders of each company. On  the one hand, combining innovative new technologies with UMG’s industry-leading data insights, we can create significant new commercial opportunities for our artists and songwriters,” added  UMG chief digital officer & EVP Michael Nash. “In addition, working together with WPP, we will harness and amplify the unmatched power and reach of music for WPP’s clients and brands through new strategic initiatives and programmes.”

    This initiative is part of WPP’s larger strategy to invest in data and technology-driven solutions and partnerships with the world’s leading companies to drive value for its clients. Hopefully, WPP’s clients have their headphones on and are listening. 

  • Universal Music Group acquires UK label Oriental Star Agencies’ complete catalogue

    Universal Music Group acquires UK label Oriental Star Agencies’ complete catalogue

    Mumbai:  Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s one of the leaders in music-based entertainment announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase the catalogue of iconic UK-based South Asian record label Oriental Star Agencies (OSA Ltd). The deal includes all of the label’s recordings and where held, publishing rights.

    A slice of over 50 years of South Asian culture and heritage, the catalogue comprises approximately 18,000 songs, concert and video recordings, featuring legendary and genre-defining Pakistani and Indian artists. The acquisition is another demonstration of UMG’s strategy to accelerate its growth in high potential music markets around the world.  The Asian music market grew by 15.4 per cent in 2022 according to the IFPI, the record labels’ global trade body, with overall revenues from the region accounting for 22.9 per cent of the global market.

    OSA Ltd is a UK-based label with strong local and international ties and a unique history. Founded in 1966 by Muhammad Ayyub and his brothers, who moved from Pakistan to the West Midlands in 1961, the label was borne out of Ayyub’s deep love for music and nostalgia for the music of his childhood. Initially approaching EMI to stock these titles, he went on to import records from Pakistan and India, as he sought to meet the demand of his local community who also craved the authentic sound of their motherland.

    From these local community origins grew the most prominent South Asian record label in the UK. OSA Ltd can be credited with not only introducing authentic South Asian music to a British audience, but also playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the UK Bhangra genre and launching the careers of numerous significant British and South Asian artists.

    Highlights in the catalogue include Malkit Singh (who became the top-selling Bhangra artist worldwide with nearly 5 million album sales), Bally Sagoo, Attaullah Khan and legendary GRAMMY nominated artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who has recorded over 125 albums. In 2002, the music of OSA Ltd found a fresh audience when several label tracks were featured on the Bend It like Beckham soundtrack. In recognition of this trailblazing contribution to the South Asian music landscape, in 2014, Ayyub was awarded an MBE honour for service to broadcasting, Asian music and community services. In 2017 the OSA Ltd owners finalised a sale to Hi-Tech Music Ltd, another British record label with a strong history spanning 35 years.

    The acquisition complements UMG’s current service offering and will help drive momentum for the South Asian music market, enabling local artists to reach the largest possible audience in the global community.

    Universal Music Group executive vice president of market development Adam Granite said, “This acquisition of a hugely successful and iconic British-Asian label specialising in South Asian music will further increase Universal Music Group’s exposure to, and participation in, a fast growing and rapidly changing market. I am particularly pleased that Universal Music Group will become the next custodian of Oriental Star Agencies, a label that has played an unparalleled role in bridging the musical identities of the UK and South Asia, taking the unique sounds of its artists to a broad audience. We believe this catalogue has huge potential, and look forward to taking it to the next generation of music fans globally.”  

    (Chino) Mohammed Twaseen OSA Ltd said, “This is a momentous day for OSA and all our artists. Becoming part of the UMG family will turbo-charge our South Asian music, helping it to get in front of more music fans across the world. The past decade has seen a true global explosion of music from the region, and now, under UMG’s stewardship, the next decade promises to be even more exciting.”

  • Ty-Ty Smith and Shabz Naqvi launch DESI TRILL MUSIC with Universal Music Group

    Ty-Ty Smith and Shabz Naqvi launch DESI TRILL MUSIC with Universal Music Group

    Mumbai: Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, has announced the launch of DESI TRILL MUSIC, a new label venture led by Ty-Ty Smith and Shabz Naqvi. The label will be dedicated to DESI TRILL, a new genre of music that combines the musical style of South Asian artists with modern genres, representing a new global sound.

    As music enthusiasts eagerly embrace fresh sounds, industry veterans Shabz Naqvi and Ty-Ty Smith have introduced their music venture, DESI TRILL. Amid the ever-evolving South Asian music scene, which caters to diverse musical tastes with a range of genres and sounds, there’s no better moment to join the industry. It’s worth noting that Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group (UMG), personally extended his blessings and welcomed the DESI TRILL team into the UMG family.  

    What sets DESI TRILL apart from other labels is its endeavour to create a new music genre, one that hasn’t been explored by anyone in the past. The innovative blend of Hip Hop, R&B, and the dynamic essence of South Asian (Desi) music will give the listeners a genre that’s not only captivating but also transformative. Distributed globally by Universal Music Group, DESI TRILL is being launched at a time when Desi Music’s popularity is at its zenith with millions of die-hard fans spanning across the globe are grooving to its sounds and beats.  

    Another crucial factor that works for DESI TRILL as it readies itself for launch is the abundance of experience that its team has under their belt. Ty-Ty Smith, in his career spanning over 20 years, is co-founder of Roc Nation, the global entertainment company that has cultivated many of today’s biggest acts such as DJ Khaled, JAY-Z, J Balvin, J. Cole, Rihanna and Shakira among others. Shabz Naqvi on the other hand began his journey at just 16 in the heart of South London and since then he has acquired chart topping acclaim and 11 major music awards along the way.  

    DESI TRILL’S debut artist is DJ Lyan, a trailblazer who adds a unique dimension to the label. His collaborations with South Asian artists will undoubtedly be something to watch out for.

    In making this announcement UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge said, “As the home for artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship in music, we’re so pleased that Ty-Ty and Shabz have chosen UMG as the global partner for DESI TRILL. Having worked with Ty-Ty for many years, I know we share a passion for discovery and artist development, and I am excited to watch how he and Shabz influence culture around the world with this exciting new sound.”

    Commenting on their label, DESI TRILL, Naqvi and Smith say, “The whole idea and inspiration behind DESI TRILL is to break boundaries. It’s about giving South Asians a voice and what could be a better way to do so than through music. It’s also a lot to do with expanding Hip Hop even further across the world and creating a new first-of-its-kind genre of music. South Asian culture, its food and its music among other things is rapidly spreading throughout the world and DESI TRILL aims at giving music lovers the best of both worlds by creating music that blends two extremely popular genres together. We are really excited to begin this journey and we hope to have the support of music lovers across the world with us.”  

    UMG India & South Asia chairman & CEO & senior vice president – strategy of AMEA Devraj Sanyal said, “At Universal Music India & South Asia, we’ve been pushing the envelope for South Asian artists and our brand of music into the mainstream globally, and to that end I’m so pleased to welcome the legendary Ty-Ty Smith and Shabz Naqvi’s DESI TRILL as part of our larger UMG family, which will showcase South Asian Art and Culture with its history and incorporate a new genre which is a fusion of Hip Hop/R&B/Pop and Dance while keeping cultural Indian heritage in the sound. The whole world is celebrating culture and DESI TRILL will be a part of that!”

    DESI TRILL MUSIC’s first music offering will be available in October.